Rope or cable system for operating machinery



(NU Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I. J. H. WATTS. EPE 0R ABLE SYSTEM FR PERATING MAGHINERY.- Nm 515,416..

`(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.A

J. H.v WATTS. EOEE 0E CABLE SYSTEM EOE OPERATING MACHINERY. 110.515,41?. 1

Patented Fabt 27, 1894.

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UNITED STATES .ATENT Tirion..

' JOHN H. iVATTs, OF AUBURN, NORTH DAKOTA.

ROPE OR CBLE SYSTEM FOR OPERATING MACHINERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,416, dated February 27, 1894.

Application tiled Mey 20,1893- Scrial No. 4745.889. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

i Be it known that I, JOHN H. WATTS, a sub- Ject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, who have declared my intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of 'Valsh and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rope or Cable Systems for Operating Machinery, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rope or cable mechanism for operating machinery, and consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter shown and described, and more specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the apparatus complete. Fig. 2 is a `cross sectional view on the line so x of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a side View of` a portion of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a side elevation. Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation. Fig. G is a plan view, and Fig. 7 is a front elevation, enlarged, of the cable gripping mechanism. Fig. 8 is a cross sectional elevation. Fig. 9 is a plan view in section, and Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, enlarged of the cable driving mechanism.

A' represents a frame work placed at any convenient point and to which the machinery to he operated is connected in any suitable manner. Writhin this framework A is journaled a main shaft B and carrying a grooved drum B2, with friction rims 01.', and adapted to engage with corresponding friction rims c2 on a corresponding grooved drum B3 on a counter shaft B4, journaled in the frame A, as shown. The shaft B4 is mounted in slotted bearings b h2, (see Fig. 8,) so that it will have a certain degree of movement to and from the shaft B', so that the friction rims a a2 will have the requisite surface contact, when drawn together. The drum B3 is provided with two of the cable grooves, while the drum B2 has but one groove, the groove in the drum B2 coming opposite the space between the two grooves in the drum B3, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and S. rPhe cable d passes -irst from the driving mechanism around the drum Bs in one of its grooves, and is then crossed over and passed around the drum' B2 in its groove, and thence crossed over and around the drum B3 again in the opposite direction and in the other groove, and thence back to the driving mechanism. The tension being toward the drum B2, and the drum B3 being movable laterally in its bearings b', b2 will be drawn tightly against the friction surfaces a', so that the grip will be increased by any increase of tension, so that the greater the tension, the greater will be the friction, and consequently the less danger of loss of motion by the slipping of the surfaces. The manner of wrapping the cable also greatly increases the power, and lessons the danger of slipping, as so large a percentage of the cables are in contact with the surfaces of the drums.

The driving mechanism consists of a framework D `suitably anchored to the ground at any convenient point, and either mounted upon wheels or otherwise arranged to be transported. Upon this framework is mounted a circular frame or bull-wheel D2 from which a series of arms D3 radiate, as shown. Any required number of these arms D3 may be employed, but for the purpose of illustration I have shown in the drawings six of the arms.

Each arm is suitably braced at e', and connected by brackets or otherwise to the bullwheel, as shown. Pivoted at suitable points to the frame D are two brakes D4 D'5 having chains or cables g g2 leading to a drum g3 on the shaft of the bull-wheel, and adapted to be set against the inner surface of the bull-wheel, to check or stop its motion by merely turning the drum g3.

Upon the outer end of each of the arms D is a metal casing formed of two parts 71. 71.2 and bolted to the sides of the arms, as shown. Formed in the outer end of each part of the casing 72 h2 are two reversed angular partitions hs 71.4, each partition having a recess 72.5 therein adapted to receive the legs h6 717 of a pair of clamps, the latter jointed by a pin 71,5 and with oppositely curved jaws 719 h1@ outside the casing, as shown. The legs h6 h7 are each provided with pins 77.11 7112, adapt-ed to project on opposite sides of the partitions 72.S1 71.4, as shown. The pin 71.8 projects by its ends into blind slots 72.13 71.14 in the casing 7i. 72.2, and with springs 7i15 h1 normally pressing them outward. When thus pressed outward the pins hn 71,12 running outward on the inclined loo Y arm, and provided with a section of chain H2 partitions h3 h4 will distend the legs h6 71,7, and correspondingly distend the jaws h9 hw.

The cable d is threaded around in the tiaring jaws h" hw, as shown, and when the arms are revolved, the jaws as they come around to the cable inclasp it one after the other, the tension causing thejaws and legs to be pressed inward into the casing h h2 and causing the legs h6 k7 to run inward along the converging partitions and thus compress the legs and likewise compress the jaws upon the cable, causing the arms D to therefore be tightly and automatically coupled to the cable, the force of the grip being'increased by the increase of the tension. The cable is therefore positively drawn around by the revolving arms, and no danger exists of its slipping no matter how much work may be required of it.

The apparatus is shown arranged with bevel gearing E E2 by which the power may be transmitted to t-he machinery to be driven, but any other required arrangement of gearing may be employed to accomplish the same results. A shore or tightener will be employed by which the proper tension may be applied to the cable. This consists of two pieces F F2 united at the ends centrally by a hinge z", so that when placed as shown in Figs. l and 3 with one end z2 resting upon the ground and theother end 3 resting against the frame D', and partially doubled up, as shown in Fig. 3, by straightening out the two parts F F2 a very strong force may be exerted upon the frame D to move it along and thus take up the slack of the cable and keep it taut Attached to each of the arms D3 nearits outer end is a rod H extending toward the next which passes over a chain sheave H3 on each of the arms D3 just inside the casings 7L h2. The horses are connected to the ends of these chain sections H2 at m', so that each team draws not upon the arm next in the rear but upon the second arm, as shown. Upon each rod H near the arm D3 to which it is connected, is a small angular bar m2 connected by a short chain m3 to the next adjacent chain H2 near its end m', as shown. This acts as a compensating coupling between the parts H H2 to equalize the draft, and prevent undue strains upon any one arm or draft rods or chains, caused by unequal sizes of teams, or

the failure of any one team to do its propor- Bysettingthebarsmialong l tion of thework.

the rods H the draft may be regulated and adapted to the teams or the work being performed. The chain sheaves H3 are adjustable along the arms D3 by holes m4, as shown.

Theapparatus will be found especially applicable to actuating thrashing machines and similar machinery, but may be also applied to any other kind of machinery.

The jaws 719 h1() are formed wider than the legs 71,6 hl, so as to secure a more extended grip upon the cable and thereby lessen the chance for slipping.

lVhile I have shown the drum B3 with two of the cable grooves, and the drum B2 with only one groove, the drums may be provided with any desired number of the grooves, the more grooves there are in the drums, the greater will be the adhesion of the cable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is* l. A series of arms radiating from a common center, and adapted to be revolved, a gripping mechanism upon the outer end of each arm, a cable encircling the gripping mechanism of said arms and also the mechanism to be driven, a base frame for supporting said radiating arms, a chain sheave H3 upon the outer end of each arm, adraft chain or cable connected to the outer end of each of said arms and passing around the chain sheave of the arm next in advance, in combination with adjustable connections m2m2 between the chains or cables of each adjacent pair of arms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a cable system for operating machinery, aseriesof arms radiating from a common center and adapted to be revolved, each of said arms being provided on its outer end with a casing h h2 having reversely diagonal slotted partitions h3 h4 jointed clamps consisting of legs h6 k7 and jaws 7u 71.10 held normally outward by springs and adapted to be distended and extended by the co-action of said legs and diagonal partitions, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. W'ATTS.

Vitnesses:

M. L. KING, CLoPHAs SICARD.

IOC 

